Data processing system

ABSTRACT

For an internal circuit having a first operation mode consuming a first operational current and a second operation mode consuming a second operational current, which is smaller than the first operational current, a first power source regulator for stepping down a predefined output power supply voltage from an input power supply voltage and having a current supply ability corresponding to the first operational current of the internal circuit and a second power source gulator having a current supply ability corresponding to the second operational current are combined in order to, under the control of a power supply control unit, operate the first step-down type regulator in response to a first control signal instructing the first operation mode in the internal circuit and to operate the second step-down type regulator in response to a second control signal instructing the second operation mode. In this case, the internal circuit and power supply control unit are provided in one semiconductor integrated circuit device so that reduced power consumption and power supply switching in accordance with the operation mode can be achieved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, asemiconductor integrated circuit and a data processing system and mainlyto a technology effective to be applied to a power supply technology fora battery-driven mobile electronic device.

[0002] Standard power supply voltage (such as 3.3 V) has beencontinuously used for interface between semiconductor chips. On theother hand, pressure resistance of a transistor is decreasing withimprovement of micronization. Thus, internal power supply voltage of alarge scale integrated circuit (LSI) directs to be lower voltage forevery generation. However, the internal power supply voltage isgenerally different by each chip in such the LSI. Therefore, when theinternal power supply is supplied from a power supply on an implementedboard, a number of power supplies equal to a given number of chips mustbe prepared, which increases in cost of a system and size of animplemented area.

[0003] As a technology for overcoming those problems, a method is knownincluding the steps of providing a step-down type switching regulatorexcluding a smoothing circuit including an inductance and a capacitor ona chip, supplying only a standard power supply voltage Vcc for interfaceon the semiconductor chip and stepping down the voltage on each chip togenerate an internal power supply voltage Vddi. The technology isdisclosed in Proceedings of Custom Integrated Circuits Conference, May1997, pp. 587-590 and International Solid-State Circuits Conference,Digest of Technical Papers, Feb. 1999, pp. 156-157.

[0004] According to the conventional technology, the internal circuit onthe chip is in a stand-by state (for example, a state where a built-inCPU clock is stopped). Thus, when its load current is significantlysmall, a power conversion efficiency is reduced extremely. As a result,the switching regulator consumes electric power significantly thoughonly a small amount of power needs to be supplied to the internalcircuit. This is because AC power consumed by a switching operation foran output MOSFET, which forms an output pulse within the switchingregulator is unnegligiblly larger than an output power. Especially in amobile electronic device, a power loss during such stand-by may reduce abattery lifetime, which is an important performance indicator of themobile device.

[0005] An inventor hereof has realized in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.260727/93 and International Patent Publication No. 503120/97 (U.S.Priority application Ser. No. 08/130,092), through researches ofpublicly known technologies after the present invention was made, that apower supply had disclosed which combined a switching regulator and aseries regulator used them differently through output current in orderto reduce power losses. However, the power supply device monitors theoutput current in order to switch between them, which appears rational.Yet, in an electronic device such as a microcomputer, currents consumeddiffer largely between the stand-by state where the central processingunit (CPU) and others perform any operations and an operating statewhere data processing is performed. Especially, a transition time fromthe stand-by state to the operating state consumes large currentrapidly. Therefore, even when the consumed current is monitored forswitching the power supply circuit as described above, voltageand/current required for CPU operations cannot be obtained, which maycause an error operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present inventor hereof has focused on that aprogram-controlled electronic device such as the microcomputer sets anoperation mode by itself and considered to attempt higher efficiency inthe power supply device by using a control signal generated in theinternal portion. Further, for the electronic device, the number ofparts tends to be reduced by adopting a circuit element within thesemiconductor integrated circuit device. However, The present inventorhas notices that it was not always effective to have the circuit elementbuilt-in.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronicdevice, a semiconductor integrated circuit and a data processing system,which allow lower power consumption. It is another object of the presentinvention to provide an electronic device and a data processing circuit,which allows size reduction. Further, it is another object of thepresent invention to provide an electronic device and a data processingsystem, which allow size reduction and lower power consumption. Theseand other objects and novel features of the present invention will beapparent from description herein and accompanying drawings.

[0008] The present invention disclosed herein may be summarized brieflyas follows:

[0009] For an internal circuit having a first operation mode consuming afirst operational current and a second operation mode consuming a secondoperational current, which is smaller than the first operationalcurrent, a first step-down type regulator for stepping down a predefinedoutput power supply voltage from an input power supply voltage andhaving a current supply ability corresponding to the first operationalcurrent of the internal circuit and a second step-down type regulatorhaving a current supply ability corresponding to the second operationalcurrent are combined in order to , under the control of a power supplycontrol unit, operate the first step-down type regulator in response toa first control signal instructing the first operation mode in theinternal circuit and to operate the second step-down type regulator inresponse to a second control signal instructing the second operationmode. In this case, the internal circuit and power supply control unitare provided in one semiconductor integrated circuit device so thatreduced power consumption and power supply switching in accordance withthe operation mode can be achieved.

[0010] In an electronic device including a switching regulator forstepping down a predefined output power supply voltage from an inputpower supply voltage and a semiconductor integrated circuit deviceincluding an internal circuit operated by feeding from the switchingregulator, the switching regulator may include a driver control circuitformed in the semiconductor integrated circuit device, an output circuitprovided in the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit devicefor generating an output pulse signal through a drive signal generatedby the driver control circuit and an inductance and a capacitor forsmoothing the output pulse signal. Thus, a number of pins of thesemiconductor integrated circuit device can be decreased regardless of amaximum power supply current, which allows reduction of size and cost inaddition to an increase in universality of the regulator circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an essential part of one embodimentof an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram of an output/current to powerconversion efficiency in a step-down circuit for describing the presentinvention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram of an output/current to powerconversion efficiency in step-down circuit for describing the presentinvention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for describing the presentinvention;

[0020]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for describing the presentinvention;

[0021]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an essential part of still anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an essential part of still anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an essential part of still anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an essential part of still anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an essential part of still anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention;and

[0026]FIG. 16 is a whole block diagram showing one embodiment of amobile communication device to which the present invention may beapplied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an essential potion of oneembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention.The electronic device of the embodiment includes a smoothing circuit fora switching regulator having a diode D including a semiconductorintegrated circuit device 100 and its external parts, an inductance(coil) L1 and a condenser C1. A battery for generating a power supplyvoltage Vcc is omitted here.

[0028] A term “MOS” herein may be understood that it stands for a metaloxide semiconductor configuration. However, recently, MOS may generallyinclude an electric conductor of non-metal, such as polysilicon, insteadof metal in an essential portion of the semiconductor device.Alternatively, it may include another insulator instead of oxide. CMOSalso tends to be understood as having a broad meaning with the change inmeaning of MOS as described above. Further, MOSFET is not narrowlyunderstood but often understood as including a broad configuration as avirtual insulating gate field effect transistor. Terms CMOS and MOSFETof the present invention follow such general understanding.

[0029] Further, the present invention may be applied to not only an LSIincluding an MOS transistor but also an LSI including a bipolartransistor or a Bi-CMOS LSI including both bipolar type and MOS typetransistors in accordance with LSI application environment. Furthermore,a technical application of the present invention is possible for an LSIusing an LSI substrate made of not only silicon but also GaAs, forexample.

[0030] Supplied from the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuitdevice 100 is power supply voltage Vcc to be used for interface betweenchips. The power supply voltage Vcc is fed to an input/output circuit105 and, on the other hand, is fed to an internal circuit (such as CPU;including 1 chip microcomputer) 101 by being stepped down to an internalpower supply voltage Vddi by an on-chip regulator circuit 110. Theregulator circuit 110 includes a switching regulator 120 and a seriesregulator 130.

[0031] The switching regulator 120 includes a driver control circuit121, a CMOS output circuit having a P-channel MOSFET 123 and anN-channel MOSFET 124, which are driven by the driver control circuit121, and a smoothing circuit including a diode D having external partsof the semiconductor integrated circuit device 100, an inductance L1 anda capacitor C1.

[0032] The series regulator 130 includes a voltage comparator circuit131, a P-type channel MOSFET 133 controlled by output voltage of thevoltage comparator circuit 131 for operating as a variable resistance, aresistance 136 and an N-channel switch MOSFET 137 for flowing biascurrent of the P-channel MOSFET 133, and a P-channel switch MOSFET 135.When a signal S114 generated in a power supply control unit 113 is at alow level, the N-channel switch MOSFET 137 is turned to the OFF stateand the P-channel MOSFET 135 is turned to the ON state. Further, the Pchannel MOSFET 133 is turned to the OFF state. As a result, its outputhas a high impedance state. In this case, the voltage comparator circuit131 is shut down from the bias current by the low level of the signalS114.

[0033] The output power supply voltage Vddi from each of regulators 120and 130 is controlled by a level substantially equal to a referencevoltage Vref generated by a reference voltage generator circuit 111 inresponse to a control signal S 101 from the internal circuit 101. Thepower supply control unit 113 detects an operation mode of thesemiconductor integrated circuit 100 in response to a control signalS102 supplied from the internal circuit 101 or a control signal S107supplied through the input/output circuit 105 from the outside of thesemiconductor integrated circuit device 100 and switches betweenoperation/stop of the switching regulator 120 and the series regulator130 based on the detected result.

[0034] An output from each of regulators 120 and 130 in the step stateis controlled to be high impedance. When the internal circuit 101 is inthe general operation state (called ‘active state’ hereinafter), thepower supply control unit 113 controls to operate the switchingregulator 120 through the control signal S113. On the other hand, whenthe internal circuit 101 is in the stand-by state (for example, a statewhere a clock of the internal circuit 113 is stopped), the power supplycontrol unit 113 controls to terminates the switching regulator 120through the control signal S113 and, at the same time, to operate theseries regulator 130 through the control signal S114.

[0035] In general, the maximum power conversion efficiency of the seriesregulator 130 gets worse than that of the switching regulator 120 as ina characteristic diagram of output current-power conversion efficiencyaround a line A-A′ in FIG. 2. On the other hand, the series regulator130 in a state having a lighter load as in the stand-by state does notcause much extreme deterioration of the power conversion efficiency asin a state around B-B′ in FIG. 2. Therefore, in the stand-by state, theseries regulator 130 having better power conversion efficiency is usedinstead of the switching regulator 120 with larger deterioration in theconversion efficiency so that power consumption in the stand-by statecan be saved effectively.

[0036] In this embodiment, switching control between the switchingregulator 120 and the series regulator 130 in accordance with anoperation mode of the semiconductor integrated circuit device 100 isperformed by the power supply control unit by using an operation modesignal. That is, when the internal circuit 101 such as CPU is switchedfrom the stand-by state to the active state, the switching regulator 120is used which has a sufficient load current supplying ability prior tothe operation so that large load current caused when it is switched fromthe stand-by state to the active state can be handled, which allowsrapid switching of the CPU, for example, from the stand-by state to theactive state and ensures operations such as data processing in theswitched active state. TABLE 1 State of CPU Active Stand-By Shut-DownSwitching Operates Stops Stops Regulator Series Stops Operates StopsRegulator

[0037] The switching control of the switching regulator 120 and theseries regulator 130 under the control of the power supply control unitin this embodiment can be summarized in Table 1. The operation modeoften includes a shut-down mode (a state where the internal power supplyvoltage Vddi is shut down; data in a register, for example, will belost) in addition to the active and stand-by states. Thus, the shut-downstate is included in Table 1. In the shut-down state, both of regulatorsdo not needs to be operated. Thus, both of them are stopped so that thepower consumption can be reduced. However, the power supply control unit113 and the input/output circuit 105 are operated through the powersupply voltage Vcc, so that they can recover from the shut-down state tothe active or stand-by (sleep) state. The reference voltage generatorcircuit 111 may be kept in operation state by the power supply voltageVcc when its current consumption is a small amount. Alternatively, theoperation current for analog circuits such as the voltage comparatorcircuit may be shut down under the control of the power supply controlunit 113 if necessary.

[0038]FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention.In this embodiment, a power supply circuit includes one switchingregulator. However, two types of output circuits are provided for asmoothing circuit for the switching regulator including a diode D1having a semiconductor integrated circuit device 100 and its externalcomponents, an inductance L1 and a condenser C1. MOSFETs 123 and 124 areoutput circuits for the active state while MOSFETs 123′ and 124′ areoutput circuits for the stand-by state, which performs equivalentoperations to the series regulator.

[0039] In the characteristic diagram in FIG. 2, the power conversionefficiency of the switching regulator is improved with a heavy load ofan output current Iout because an amount of power losses in thesmoothing circuit using the inductance L1 and the condenser C1 isextremely smaller than that of an output power Pout. On the other hand,it is because power consumed for driving the output MOSFETs 123 and 124for supplying pulse signals to the smoothing circuit is relativelylarger when the output current Iout has light loads. Therefore, as shownin a characteristic diagram a in FIG. 3, when the size of the MOSFETsfor forming the output pulses are reduced, the efficiency can beincreased with light loads. In consideration of this, two types ofoutput circuits are provided as indicated above and switched under thecontrol of the power supply control unit 113.

[0040] An output from the output circuits in the stop state iscontrolled so as to be high impedance. when the internal circuit 101 isin general operation state (active state, hereinafter), the powercontrol unit 113 controls to operate the output MOSFETs 123 and 124through a first state of a control signal S113 (where the output MOSFETs123′ and 124′ are in OFF state). On the other hand, when the internalcircuit 101 is in the stand-by state (for example, a clock for theinternal circuit 113 is terminated), the power supply control unit 113turns the output MOSFETs 123 and 124 to the OFF state through a secondstate of the control signal S113 in order to control to operate theoutput MOSFET 123′ and 124′ simultaneously. As a result, powerconsumption can be saved effectively as above by using them differentlyin accordance with the load state of the characteristics a and b in FIG.3. The control by the power supply control unit 113 can be performed inthe same manner as Table 1.

[0041]FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an essential portion block diagramof another embodiment of the electronic device according to the presentinvention. Also in this embodiment, a power supply voltage Vcc to beused for the interface between chips is supplied from the outside of thesemiconductor integrated circuit device 100 in the same manner as above.The power supply voltage Vcc is fed to the input/output circuit 105while stepped down to the internal power supply voltage Vddi by theon-chip regulator circuit 110 in order to be fed to the internal circuit(such as CPU) 101. In this embodiment, the regulator circuit 110 feedsan internal power supply voltage Vddr equivalent to the internal powersupply voltage Vddi to a random access memory (RAM) array 102.

[0042] The regulator circuit 110 includes a switching regulator 120 anda series regulator 130. Outputs from the switching regulator 120 areconnected directly to a power supply line of the internal circuit 101.Outputs from the series regulator 130 are connected directly to a powersupply line of the RAM array 102. Provided between the outputs from theswitching regulator 120 and outputs from the series regulator 130 is aswitch 140. Output power supply voltage from each of regulators 120 and130 is controlled to a substantially equal level to a reference voltageVref generated by the reference voltage generator circuit 111 inresponse to a control signal S101 from the internal circuit 101.

[0043] The power supply control unit 113 detects an operation mode ofthe semiconductor integrated circuit 100 in response to a control signalS102 supplied from the internal circuit 101 or a control signal S107supplied through the input/output circuit 105 from the outside of thesemiconductor integrated circuit device 100 and switches betweenoperation/stop of the switching regulator 120 and the series regulator130 and ON/OFF of the switch 140 based on the detected result. An outputfrom each of regulators 120 and 130 in the stop state is controlled tobe high impedance.

[0044] When the internal circuit 101 is in the active state, the powersupply control unit 113 controls to operate the switching regulator 120through the control signal S113. At the same time, the power supplycontrol unit 113 turns the switch 140 ON through a control signal S115and the output power supply voltage Vddi of the switching regulator 120is fed to the RAM array 102 through the switch 140.

[0045] When the internal circuit 101 is in the stand-by state, the powersupply control unit 113 controls to terminates the switching regulator120 through the control signal S113 and, at the same time, to operatethe series regulator 130 through the control signal S114 in order toturn the switch 140 ON through the control signal S115. The internalcircuit 101 and the RAM array 102 are fed from the series regulator 130.Therefore, in the same manner as the embodiment in FIG. 1, the seriesregulator 130 is used instead of the switching regulator 120 in thestand-by state so that power consumption in the stand-by state can besaved effectively.

[0046] Further, this embodiment includes an operation mode for shuttingdown the power supply for the internal circuit 101 in order to hold dataof the RAM array 102 only(RAM data holding state). In the RAM dataholding state, the power supply control unit 113 terminates theswitching regulator 120 through the control signal S113 and, at the sametime, turns the switch 140 OFF through the control signal S115 in orderto shut down the power supply for the internal circuit 101. On the otherhand, the power supply control portion 113 controls to operate theseries regulator 130 through the control signal S114.

[0047] Therefore, the series regulator 130 supplies electric powerrequired by the RAM array 102 for holding data. In the RAM data holdingstate, the power supply for the internal circuit 101 is shut down. Thus,leak current of the internal circuit 101 can be zero completely, whichallows saving more power consumption than the stand-by state. However,in the RAM data holding state, information written into a register, forexample, within the internal circuit 101 is lost. Thus, information inthe register may be transferred to the RAM before CPU shut-down/RAM dataholding, if necessary. In the shut-down state, both switching regulator120 and series regulator 130 are terminated. Switching controls for theswitching regulator 120, series regulator 130 and the switch 140 inaccordance with the operation modes in this embodiment will besummarized in Table 2 below: TABLE 2 CPU Shut- Down/RAM CPU/RAM Datastate Active Stand-By Holding Shut-Down switching operate stop stop Stopregulator series stop operate operate Stop regulator Switch ON ON OFF ON

[0048]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention.Also in this embodiment, in the same manner as above, the power supplyvoltage Vcc is fed to the input/output circuit 105 while stepped down tothe power supply voltage Vddi by the on-chip regulator circuit 110 inorder to be fed to the internal circuit 101 such as CPU. The regulatorcircuit 110 feeds an internal power supply voltage Vddr equivalent tothe internal power supply voltage Vddi to the RAM array 102.

[0049] The regulator circuit 110 includes a switching regulator 120, afirst series regulator 130 and a second series regulator 150. Outputsfrom the switching regulator 120 and the first series regulator 130 areconnected directly to a power supply line of the internal circuit 101.Outputs from the second series regulator 150 are connected directly to apower supply line of the RAM array 102. Provided between the outputsfrom the switching regulator 120 and the first series regulator 130 andoutputs from the second series regulator 150 is a switch 140.

[0050] Output power supply voltage from each of regulators 120, 130 and150 is controlled to a substantially equal level to a reference voltageVref generated by the reference voltage generator circuit 111 inresponse to a control signal S101 from the internal circuit 101. Thepower supply control unit 113 detects an operation mode of thesemiconductor integrated circuit 100 in response to a control signalS102 supplied from the internal circuit 101 or a control signal S107supplied through the input/output circuit 105 from the outside of thesemiconductor integrated circuit device 100 and switches betweenoperation/step of the switching regulator 120, the first seriesregulator 130 and the second series regulator 150 and ON/OFF of theswitch 140 based on the detected result. An output from each ofregulators 120, 130 and 150 in the stop state is controlled to be highimpedance.

[0051] When the internal circuit 101 is in the active state, the powersupply control unit 113 controls to operate the switching regulator 120through the control signal S113. At the same time, the power supplycontrol unit 113 turns the switch 140 ON through a control signal S115and the output power supply voltage Vddi of the switching regulator 120is fed to the RAM array 102 through the switch 140.

[0052] When the internal circuit 101 is in the stand-by state, the powersupply control unit 113 controls to terminates the switching regulator120 through the control signal S113 and, at the same time, to operatethe first series regulator 130 through the control signal S114 in orderto turn the switch 140 ON through the control signal S115. The internalcircuit 101 and the RAM array 102 are fed from the first seriesregulator 130. Therefore, in the same manner as the embodiment in FIG.5, the first series regulator 130 is used instead of the switchingregulator 120 in the stand-by state so that power consumption in thestand-by state can be saved effectively.

[0053] This embodiment includes a RAM data holding state as one ofoperation modes as in the embodiment in FIG. 5. In the RAM data holdingstate, the power supply control unit 113 terminates the switchingregulator 120 through the control signal S113 and terminate the firstseries regulator 130 through the control signal S114. At the same time,the power supply control unit 113 turns the switch 140 OFF through thecontrol signal S115 in order to shut dun the power supply for theinternal circuit 101. On the other hand, the power supply controlportion 113 controls to operate the second series regulator 150 throughthe control signal S116.

[0054] Therefore, the second series regulator 150 supplies electricpower required by the RAM array 102 for holding data. In the RAM dataholding state, the power supply for the internal circuit 101 is shutdown. Thus, leak current of the internal circuit 101 can be zerocompletely, which allows saving more power consumption than the stand-bystate. However, in the RAM data holding state, information written intoa register, for example, within the internal circuit 101 is lost. Thus,information in the register may be transferred to the RAM before CPUshut-down/RAM data holding, if necessary.

[0055] This embodiment includes a second series regulator 150 dedicatedfor uses only in the RAM data holding state. Thus, the second seriesregulator 150 can be ideally designed so as to supply a minimum currentrequired for RAM data holding. The power consumed by the second seriesregulator 150 itself is smaller than that consumed by the first seriesregulator 130 in the stand-by state, which allows more saving of powerconsumption in the RAM data holding LO state than that in the case ofthe embodiment in FIG. 5.

[0056] In the shut-down state, the switching regulator 120, the firstseries regulator 130 and the series regulator 150 are all terminated.Switching controls for the switching regulator 120, the first seriesregulator 130, the second series regulator 150 and the switch 140 inaccordance with the operation modes in this embodiment will besummarized in Table 3 below: TABLE 3 CPU Shut- Down/RAM CPU/RAM Datastate Active Stand-By Holding Shut-Down Switching operate stop stop stopregulator 1st series stop operate stop stop regulator 2nd series stopstop operate stop regulator Switch ON ON OFF ON

[0057]FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention.Also in this embodiment, in the same manner as above, the power supplyvoltage Vcc used for interface between chips is fed from the outside ofthe semiconductor integrated circuit device 100. The power supplyvoltage Vcc is fed to the input/output circuit 105 while stepped down tothe internal power supply voltage Vddi by the on-chip regulator circuit110 in order to be fed to the internal circuit 101 such as CPU. Theregulator circuit 110 feeds an internal power supply voltage Vddrequivalent to the internal power supply voltage Vddi from an analogcircuit 103 having phase locked loop (PLL) circuit for generating clocksignals, which is in synchronous with clock signals supplied from theoutside.

[0058] The regulator circuit 110 includes, in the same manner as above,a switching regulator 120, a first series regulator 130 and a secondseries regulator 150. Outputs from the switching regulator 120 and thefirst series regulator 130 are connected directly to a power supply lineof the internal circuit 101. Outputs from the second series regulator150 are connected directly to a power supply line of the analog circuit103. Output power supply voltage from each of regulators 120, 130 and150 is controlled to a substantially equal level to a reference voltageVref generated by the reference voltage generator circuit 111 inresponse to a control signal S101 from the internal circuit 101.

[0059] The power supply control unit 113 detects an operation mode ofthe semiconductor integrated circuit 100 in response to a control signalS102 supplied from the internal circuit 101 or a control signal S107supplied through the input/output circuit 105 from the outside of thesemiconductor integrated circuit device 100 and switches betweenoperation/stop of the switching regulator 120, the first seriesregulator 130 and the second series regulator 150 and ON/OFF of theswitch 140 based on the detected result. An output from each ofregulators 120, 130 and 150 in the stop state is controlled to be highimpedance.

[0060] When the internal circuit 101 is in the active state, the powersupply control unit 113 controls to operate the switching regulator 120through the control signal S113. When the internal circuit 101 is in thestand-by state, the power supply control unit 113 controls to terminatesthe switching regulator 120 through the control signal S113 and, at thesame time, to operate the first series regulator 130 through the controlsignal S114. Here, the internal circuit 101 is fed from the first seriesregulator 130. Therefore, in the same manner as the embodiment in FIG.6, the first series regulator 130 is used instead of the switchingregulator 120 in the stand-by state so that power consumption in thestand-by state can be saved effectively.

[0061] In this embodiment, both in the active state and in the stand-bystate, the power supply control portion 113 controls to operate thesecond series regulator 150 through a control signal S116. Generally, aswitching regulator causes a switching noise, which may have a badeffect on operations by the analog circuit 103. In this embodiment, theanalog circuit 103 is always fed by the second series regulator 150.Thus, the bad effect can be avoided due to the switching noise from theswitching regulator.

[0062] In the shut-down state, the switching regulator 120, the firstseries regulator 130 and the series regulator 150 are all terminated.Switching controls for the switching regulator 120, the first seriesregulator 130 and the second series regulator 150 in accordance with theoperation modes in this embodiment will be summarized in Table 4 below:TABLE 4 CPU/RAM state Active Stand-By Shut-Down Switching operate stopstop regulator 1st series stop operate stop regulator 2nd series operateoperate stop regulator

[0063]FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention.Also in this embodiment, in the same manner as above, the power supplyvoltage Vcc used for interface between chips is fed from the outside ofthe semiconductor integrated circuit device 100. The power supplyvoltage Vcc is fed to the input/output circuit 105 while stepped down tothe internal power supply voltage Vddi by the on-chip regulator circuit110 in order to be fed to the internal circuit 101 such as CPU. Further,output power supply voltage Vddi from the switching regulator 120 or thefirst series regulator 130 is stepped down to the internal power supplyvoltage VddL further by a third series regulator 160.

[0064] Outputs from the third series regulator 160 are directlyconnected to a power supply line of a partial circuit 104. Output powersupply voltage Vddi from the switching regulators 120 and the firstseries regulator 130 is controlled to a substantially equal level to areference voltage Vref generated by the reference voltage generatorcircuit 111 in response to a control signal S101 from the internalcircuit 101. Further, output power supply voltage VddL from the thirdseries regulator 160 is controlled to a substantially equal level to areference voltage VrefL, which is lower than the reference voltage Vrefgenerated by the reference voltage generator circuit 111 in response toa control signal S101 from the internal circuit 101.

[0065] The power supply control unit 113 detects an operation mode ofthe semiconductor integrated circuit 100 in response to a control signalS102 supplied from the internal circuit 101 or a control signal S107supplied through the input/output circuit 105 from the outside of thesemiconductor integrated circuit device 100 and switches betweenoperation/stop of the switching regulator 120, the first seriesregulator 130 and the third series regulator 160 based on the detectedresult. In the same manner as above, an output from each of regulatorsin the stop state is controlled to be high impedance.

[0066] When the internal circuit 101 is in the active state, the powersupply control unit 113 controls to operate the switching regulator 120through the control signal S113. When the internal circuit 101 is in thestand-by state, the power supply control unit 113 controls to terminatesthe switching regulator 120 through the control signal S113 and, at thesame time, to operate the first series regulator 130 through the controlsignal S114. Here, the internal circuit 101 is fed from the first seriesregulator 130. Therefore, in the same manner as the embodiment above,the first series regulator 130 is used instead of the switchingregulator 120 in the stand-by state so that power consumption in thestand-by state can be saved effectively.

[0067] In this embodiment, both in the active state and in the stand-bystate, the power supply control portion 113 controls to operate thethird series regulator 160 through a control signal S116. Especially,the partial circuit 104 has a loose timing constraint. Thus, when noproblem is caused on operations even if the power supply voltage of thepartial circuit 104 is reduced to a lower voltage than the power supplyvoltage of the internal circuit 101, a regulator configuration as inthis embodiment achieves lower power supply voltage VddL of the partialcircuit 104 than the power supply voltage Vddi of the internal circuit101. As a result, the power consumption can be save d more effectively.

[0068] In the shut-down state, the switching regulator 120, the firstseries regulator 130 and the third regulator 160 are all terminated.Switching controls for the switching regulator 120, the first seriesregulator 130 and the third series regulator 160 in accordance with theoperation modes in this embodiment will be summarized in Table 5 below:TABLE 5 CPU/RAM state Active Stand-By Shut-Down Switching operate stopstop regulator 1st series stop operate stop regulator 3rd series operateoperate stop regulator

[0069]FIGS. 9 and 10 show illustrative diagrams for describing anotheraspect of the present invention. When a switching regulator includes anoutput circuit formed in a semiconductor integrated circuit device and asmoothing circuit provided externally as in the embodiment in FIG. 1,current substantially equal to an output current I out flows throughcurrent paths Ivx, Ivcc and Ivss in FIG. 9. In order to form each ofthese current paths, three types of pins (Vx pin, Vcc pin, Vss pin) areneeded.

[0070] Generally, there is an upper limit on an amount of current, whichcan be flown in one pin (for example, about 0.1 A per one pingenerally). Thus, when the output current Iout exceeds the upper limit,the number of the three types of pins must be increased as in FIG. 10 inproportion to the output current Iout. However, the increase in thenumber of pins also increase the chip size, which increases costs,therefore, there is a practical limit on an acceptable number of pins(therefore maximum output current limited by that). That is, as shown inFIG. 10, when the maximum output current 0.2 A (Ampere), the totalnumber of the three kinds of pins are six at most. However, in order toobtain the maximum output current of 0.8 A, 24 pins are required.

[0071]FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention.The electronic device of this embodiment includes, a pulse outputcircuit having power MOSFETs PM1 and PM2 having a semiconductorintegrated circuit device 100 and its external components and asmoothing circuit having a diode D1, an inductance (coil) L1 and acondenser C1. A battery for generating a power supply voltage Vcc isomitted here.

[0072] Supplied from the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuitdevice 100 is a power supply voltage Vcc to be used for interfacebetween chips. The power supply voltage Vcc is fed to an input/outputcircuit 105 while stepped down to a power supply voltage Vddi by anon-chip regulator circuit 110 in order to be fed to an internal circuit101. The regulator circuit 110 includes a switching regulator 120. Theoutput power supply voltage Vddi of the regulator 110 is controlled to asubstantially equal level to a reference voltage Vref generated by areference voltage generator circuit 111 in response to a control signalS101 from the internal circuit 101.

[0073] The switching regulator 120 includes a on-chip low-pass filterunit (condenser C1, inductance L1 and diode D1), an output circuit (PM1:P channel type, PM2: N channel type) using an off-chip power MOSFET andan on-chip driver control circuit 121 for controllingconduct/non-conduct of the MOSFET of the output circuit.

[0074] Since the output circuit includes off-chip output MOSFETs PM1 andPM2 in this embodiment, a switching regulator can be obtained which canobtain a maximum supply current without an increase in the number ofpins used for the switching regulator 120. that is, the semiconductorintegrated circuit device 100 may needs two external terminals only forsupplying control signals generated by the driver control circuit 121 togates of the P-channel type MOSFET PM1 and the N channel type MOSFET PM2of the output circuit. As a result, the number of the external terminalsdoes not need to be increased even if the electronic device does notrequire a large maximum current. It suppresses increases in chip sizeand costs due to the increase in the number of pins, which allowsreduction in the size and costs of the electronic device.

[0075] In general, an electronic device directs to the direction thatthe electronic device is built in a semiconductor integrated circuitdevice as much as possible in order to reduce a number of components.However, in the above-described switching regulator, the presentinventor hereof has realized that a big problem is caused that thenumber of pins are increased because only two power MOSFETs are formedin the semiconductor integrated circuit device.

[0076] On the other hand, a switching regulator is formed by defining apower MOSFET and a driver control circuit for controlling it onone-chip. However, such semiconductor integrated circuit device isrelatively expensive in price and not so easy to handle. That is, as inthis embodiment, mounting the driver control circuit 212 within thesemiconductor integrate circuit 100 and handling elements for formingthe output MOSFET or the smoothing circuit as an external componentsreduces costs substantially. In addition, a single MOSFET isadvantageous in universality since it may be substantially lower in costand correspond to a required maximum output current.

[0077]FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention.In the electronic device of this embodiment, the output transistor (PM2:N channel type) is omitted from the embodiment in FIG. 11. The powerconversion efficiency to the switching regulator 120 in this embodimentis lower than that in the embodiment in FIG. 11, but it is advantageousin cost since an off-chip parts count is one fewer. That is, the currentIvss as described with reference to FIG. 9 can be generated by the diodeD1. In this case, since a voltage loss is caused in the forwarddirection voltage VF by the diode D1, it is advantageous in theelectronic device, which requires lower costs with some deterioration inthe power conversion efficiency.

[0078]FIG. 13 shows an essential block part of still another embodimentof an electronic device according to the present invention. In thisembodiment, an off-chip resistance R1 and an on-chip protective circuit125 are added to the configuration in the embodiment in FIG. 11. Thatis, when current equal to or larger than a certain value flows throughoutput MOSFET PM1, a potential detector circuit included in theprotective circuit 125 detects that a potential difference across theresistance R1 exceeds the certain value. The protective circuit 125controls the driver control circuit 121 through a control signal S125 inorder to cause the output MOSFET PM1 non-conductive temporally. Thus,this embodiment can prevent excessive current flows through the outputof the switching regulator 120, which can enhance reliability of theswitching regulator 120.

[0079]FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention.In this embodiment, as in the embodiment in FIG. 11, a maximum outputcurrent can be obtained without an increase in the number of pins usedfor a step-down power supply circuit. In addition, as in the embodimentin FIG. 1, even if the internal circuit is in a light loaded state suchas the stand-by state, too much deterioration in power conversionefficiency of the step-down power supply circuit can be avoided. Thatis, MOSFETs 123 and 124 for forming the output circuit of the switchingregulator 120 in the embodiment in FIG. 1 are formed by on-chip externalcomponents.

[0080] As a result, a maximum output current can be obtained without anincrease in the number of pins used for a step-down power supplycircuit. In addition, even if the internal circuit is in a light loadedstate such as the stand-by state, too much deterioration in powerconversion efficiency of the step-down power supply circuit can beavoided. Thus, reduction in size and power consumption of the electronicdevice can be achieved.

[0081]FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of an essential part of anotherembodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention.In this embodiment, as in the embodiment in FIG. 11, a maximum outputcurrent can be obtained without an increase in the number of pins usedfor a step-down power supply circuit. In addition, as in the embodimentin FIG. 4, even if the internal circuit is in a light loaded state suchas the stand-by state, too much deterioration in power conversionefficiency of the step-down power supply circuit can be avoided. Thatis, MOSFETs 123 and 124 for forming the output circuit of the switchingregulator 120 in the embodiment in FIG. 4 are formed by on-chip externalcomponents.

[0082] As a result, a maximum output current can be obtained without anincrease in the number of pins used for a step-down power supplycircuit. In addition, even if the internal circuit is in a light loadedstate such as the stand-by state only by the switching regulator 120,too much deterioration in power conversion efficiency of the step-downpower supply circuit can be avoided. Thus, reduction in size and powerconsumption of the electronic device can be achieved.

[0083] The configuration of the switching regulator for obtaining alarge maximum output current without increasing the number of pins usedfor the step-down power supply circuit can be applied to the case inFIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8. That is, forming the output MOSFETs 123 and 124 ofthe switching regulator 120 by Off-chip external components allows lowerpower consumption without deteriorating the power conversion efficiencyof the step-down power supply circuit when the internal circuit 101, forexample is the light load state such as the stand-by state.

[0084]FIG. 16 shows a whole block diagram of one embodiment of a mobilecommunication device to which the present invention is applied. Atypical example of the mobile communication device is a cellular phone.A signal received by an antenna is amplified in a receiving front-end,converted to an intermediate frequency by a mixer and transmitted to avoice processing circuit through an intermediate signal processingcircuit IF-IC. A gain control signal includes periodically in thereceived signal is, but not limited to, decoded in a microprocessor CPUso that an input control voltage is formed, which is supplied to a poweramplifier (power amplifier module) here.

[0085] In the power amplifier, gain control is performed in accordancewith the input control voltage to from a sending output signal. Thesending power is fed back to the microprocessor CPU partially through apower coupler, for example. A frequency synthesizer forms an occilatingsignal corresponding to a received frequency through a referenceoscillator circuit TCXO, a voltage control oscillator circuit VCO and aPLL loop and the oscillating circuit is transmitted to the mixer in thereceiving front end on one end. The oscillating signal is supplied to amodulator on the LO other end. In the voice processing circuit, thereceived signal drives a receiver in order to output a voice signal. Asending voice is converted to electronic signals through a microphoneand transmitted to the modulator through the voice processing circuitand a modem.

[0086] In the mobile communication device, 1-chip semiconductorintegrated circuit device is formed in an available region with respectto CPU for size reduction. For example, a memory may be the RAM arraydescribed above, and an analog circuit may be the frequency synthesizer.In such an electronic device, the total power supply voltage Vcc may beabout 3.3 V. One to which a lower operational voltage can be appliedsuch as the semiconductor integrated circuit device including CPU canallow decreases in power consumption and costs by using the step-downregulator as described above. When both memory and analog circuit areprovided, an output from the second series regulator in FIGS. 6 and 7are power-supplied to the analog circuit in the active state or in thestand-by state. When in the CPU shut-down/RAM data holding state, it iscontrolled to be power supplied to the memory so that propagation ofswitching noises to the analog circuit can be avoided and allows lowerpower consumption in the RAM data holding.

[0087] Operational effects which can be obtained from the embodimentsabove are as follows:

[0088] (1) For an internal circuit having a first operation modeconsuming a first operational current and a second operation modeconsuming a second operational current, which is smaller than the firstoperational current, a first step-down type regulator for stepping downa predefined output power supply voltage from an input power supplyvoltage and having a current supply ability corresponding to the firstoperational current of the internal circuit and a second step-down typeregulator having a current supply ability corresponding to the secondoperational current are combined in order to , under the control of apower supply control unit, operate the first step-down type regulator inresponse to a first control signal instructing the first operation modein the internal circuit and to operate the second step-down typeregulator in response to a second control signal instructing the secondoperation mode. In this case, the internal circuit and power supplycontrol unit are provided in one semiconductor integrated circuit deviceso that reduced power consumption and power supply switching inaccordance with the operation mode can be achieved.

[0089] (2) Further, the first power supply regulator may be a switchingregulator having a pulse output circuit formed in the semiconductorintegrated circuit device and a smoothing circuit having an inductanceand a condenser provided in the outside of the semiconductor integratedcircuit device and the second step-down type regulator is a first seriesregulator formed in the semiconductor integrated circuit device. Thus,further reduction of power consumption can be achieved.

[0090] (3) Further, the internal circuit may includes a signalprocessing unit and a memory unit whose power supply voltage line isisolated by a switch and the second operation mode in the internalcircuit includes an operation for turning the switch ON in order tosupply current from the first series regulator to the signal processingunit and the memory unit and an operation for turning the switch OFF inorder to supply current only to the memory unit. Thus, necessary datacan be maintained while source supply for the signal processing unit isshut down, which allows further reduction of power consumption.

[0091] (4) The internal circuit may have a signal processing unit and amemory unit whose power supply voltage line is isolated by a switch anda second series regulator for generating the predefined output powersupply voltage from the input power supply voltage. In this case, thesecond operation mode of the internal circuit may include an operationfor turning the switch ON in order to supply current from the firstseries regulator to the signal processing unit and the memory unit andan operation that the first series regulator stops its operation and thesecond series regulator performs an operation in order to supply currentonly to the memory unit when the switch is turned OFF. Thus, feeding tothe memory unit for data holding by the second series regulator can beminimized.

[0092] (5) Further, there may be provided a second series regulator forgenerating a predefined output power supply voltage from the input powersupply voltage and an analog circuit to which an operational voltage issupplied by the series regulator. In this case, the operation of thesecond series regulator can be stopped at the same time when operationsby the switching regulator and series regulators are stopped. Thus,reduction of both power consumption and power supply noises in theanalog circuit can be achieved.

[0093] (6) Further, there may be provided a third series regulator forreceiving the input power supply voltage or the predefined outputvoltage in order to output a low voltage not more than the predefinedoutput voltage and a partial circuit to which an operational voltage issupplied by the third series regulator. In this case, the operation ofthe third series regulator can be stopped at the same time whenoperations by the switching regulator and series regulators are stopped.Thus further reduction of power consumption can be achieved.

[0094] (7) In addition, the first step-down type regulator may be afirst switching regulator having a pulse output circuit for outputting apulse formed in a large output transistor corresponding in size to thefirst operational current formed in the semiconductor integrated circuitdevice and a smoothing circuit having an inductance and a condenserprovided in the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit device,and the second power supply regulator may be a second switchingregulator having a pulse output circuit for outputting a pulse formed ina small output transistor corresponding in size to the secondoperational current formed in the semiconductor integrated circuitdevice and the smoothing circuit. As a result, the circuit can besimplified and the power consumption can be reduced also.

[0095] (8) The internal circuit may comprise a data processing circuithaving a microcomputer function for performing signal processing througha built-in program; and the first operation mode and second operationmode are switched and the first and second control signals are generatedin accordance with the program. Thus, appropriate power supply switchingcan be performed with stability.

[0096] (9) The input power supply voltage may be generated by a battery,which can increases a battery life and eases handling of the electronicdevice.

[0097] (10) In an electronic device including a switching regulator forstepping down a predefined output power supply voltage from an inputpower supply voltage and a semiconductor integrated circuit deviceincluding an internal circuit operated by feeding from the switchingregulator, the switching regulator may include a driver control circuitformed in the semiconductor integrated circuit device, an output circuitprovided in the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit devicefor generating an output pulse signal through a drive signal generatedby the driver control circuit and an inductance and a capacitor forsmoothing the output pulse signal. Thus, a number of pins of thesemiconductor integrated circuit device can be decreased regardless of amaximum power supply current, which allows reduction of size and cost inaddition to an increase in universality of the regulator circuit.

[0098] (11) The output circuit may include a switch MOSFET in which thedrive signal is supplied to a gate and the input power supply voltage issupplied to a source and a diode for preventing reverse current, whichis provided between the switch MOSFET and a ground potential of thecircuit. Thus, a number of parts can be reduced.

[0099] (12) In addition, there may be provided a resistance fordetecting current of the output circuit and a protective circuit forlimiting an operation of the output circuit when a voltage generated inthe resistance exceeds a predefined tolerance value. Thus, reliabilitycan be obtained.

[0100] (13) Further, in this case, the internal circuit may have a firstoperation mode consuming a first operational current and a secondoperation mode consuming a second operation current smaller than thefirst operation current and the switching regulator may be arranged tohave a current supply ability corresponding to the first operationalcurrent of the internal circuit. The electronic device may furtherinclude a step-down type regulator built-in the semiconductor integratedcircuit device and having a current supply ability corresponding to thesecond operational current and a power supply control unit operating theswitching regulator in response to a first control signal instructingthe first operation mode in the internal circuit and operating thestep-down type regulator in response to a second control signalinstructing the second operation mode. Thus, further reduction of thepower consumption can be achieved.

[0101] (14) In addition, the step-down type regulator is preferably aseries regulator. Thus, reduced power consumption is achieved, which isadapted to the second operational current.

[0102] (15) In addition, the step-down type regulator may be a switchingregulator using a pulse output circuit for outputting pulses generatedin a small output transistor corresponding in size to the secondoperational current generated in the semiconductor integrated circuitdevice and a switching regulator using the inductance and condenser.Thus, the circuit can be simplified and the reduced power consumptioncan be obtained which is adapted to the second operational current.

[0103] (16) Further, the internal circuit preferably includes a dataprocessing circuit having a microcomputer function for performing signalprocessing through a built-in program and the first operation mode andsecond operation mode are switched and the first and second controlsignals are generated in accordance with the program. Thus, appropriatepower supply switching can be performed with stability.

[0104] (17) In addition, the input power supply voltage may be generatedby a battery, which increases the battery life and eases handling of theelectronic device.

[0105] The present invention made by the present invention has describedconcretely based on its embodiment. However, various changes arepossible without departing from its principle. For example, the powersupply regulator may form an internal voltage stepped down from theinput source voltage as in the embodiment above. In addition, it mayform an internal voltage, which is substantially equal to a sourcevoltage supplied from an external terminal of the semiconductorintegrated circuit and stabilized in order to eliminate influenced ofchanges in the external source voltage. When a step-up voltage is formedas above, the power supply regulator as above may be used based on avoltage generated by a step-up circuit such as a charge-pump circuit sothat an internal voltage stabilized for voltage changes and load currentin accordance with a charge-pump operation can be generated.

[0106] In the embodiment in FIG. 1, a protective circuit as in FIG. 13may be provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit device may beformed by combining a CPU, a RAM array, an analog circuit, a partialcircuit and an input/output circuit and other circuits required forsignal processing. The electronic device, the semiconductor integratedcircuit and the data processing system only needs to be one including aninternal circuit of the semiconductor integrated circuit operating withstepped-down voltage, in addition to the mobile communication device.The power supply of the electronic device may use a commercial powersource in addition to a battery. Alternatively, it may use both batteryand commercial power source. The present invention can be applied to anelectronic device including a semiconductor integrated circuit whoseinternal circuit operates with stepped-down voltage, semiconductorintegrated circuit and a data processing system.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: an internalcircuit having a first operation mode consuming a first operationalcurrent and a second operation mode consuming a second operationalcurrent, which is smaller than said first operational current; a firstpower supply regulator for outputting a predefined output power supplyvoltage from an input power supply voltage and having a current supplyability corresponding to said first operational cur-rent of saidinternal circuit and a second regulator having a current supply abilitycorresponding to said second operational current; and a power supplycontrol unit for operating said first power supply regulator in responseto a first control signal instructing said first operation mode in saidinternal circuit and operating said second power supply regulator inresponse to a second control signal instructing said second operationmode, wherein said internal circuit and power supply control unit areprovided in one semiconductor integrated circuit device.
 2. Anelectronic device according to claim 1, comprising: wherein said firstpower supply regulator is a switching regulator having a pulse outputcircuit formed in said semiconductor integrated circuit device and asmoothing circuit having an inductance and a condenser provided in theoutside of said semiconductor integrated circuit device; and said secondpower supply regulator is a first series regulator formed in saidsemiconductor integrated circuit device.
 3. An electronic deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said internal circuit comprising a signalprocessing unit and a memory unit whose power supply voltage line isisolated by a switch; and said second operation mode in said internalcircuit includes an operation for turning said switch ON in order tosupply current from said first series regulator to said signalprocessing unit and memory unit and an operation for turning said switchOFF in order to supply current only to said memory unit.
 4. Anelectronic device according to claim 2, further comprising: saidinternal circuit having a signal processing unit and memory unit whosepower supply voltage line is isolated by a switch; and a second seriesregulator for generating said predefined output power supply voltagefrom said input power supply voltage, wherein said second operation modeof said internal circuit includes an operation for turning said switchON in order to supply current from said first series regulator to saidsignal processing unit and memory unit and an operation that said firstseries regulator stops its operation and said second series regulatorperforms an operation in order to supply current only to said memoryunit when said switch is turned OFF.
 5. An electronic device accordingto claim 2, further comprising a second series regulator for generatinga predefined output power supply voltage from said input power supplyvoltage and an analog circuit to which an operational voltage issupplied by said series regulator, wherein said operation of said secondseries regulator can be stopped at the same time when operations by saidswitching regulator and series regulators are stopped.
 6. An electronicdevice according to claim 2, further comprising a third series regulatorfor receiving said input power supply voltage or said predefined outputvoltage in order to output a low voltage not more than said predefinedoutput voltage and a partial circuit to which an operational voltage issupplied by said third series regulator; wherein said operation of saidthird series regulator can be stopped at the same time when operationsby said switching regulator and series regulators are stopped.
 7. Anelectronic device according to claim 2, wherein said first power supplyregulator is a first switching regulator having a pulse output circuitfor outputting a pulse formed in a large output transistor correspondingin size to said first operational current formed in said semiconductorintegrated circuit device and a smoothing circuit having an inductanceand a condenser provided in the outside of said semiconductor integratedcircuit device; and said second power supply regulator is a secondswitching regulator having a pulse output circuit for outputting a pulseformed in a small output transistor corresponding in size to said secondoperational current formed in said semiconductor integrated circuitdevice and said smoothing circuit.
 8. An electronic device according toclaim 1, wherein said internal circuit comprises a data processingcircuit having a microcomputer function for performing signal processingthrough a built-in program; and said first operation mode and secondoperation mode are switched and said first and second control signalsare generated in accordance with said program.
 9. An electronic deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein said input power supply voltage isgenerated by a battery.
 10. An electronic device comprising: a switchingregulator for outputting a predefined output power supply voltage froman input power supply voltage; and a semiconductor integrated circuitdevice including an internal circuit operated by feeding from saidswitching regulator, said switching regulator comprising: a drivercontrol circuit formed in said semiconductor integrated circuit device;an output circuit for generating an output pulse signal through a drivesignal generated by said driver control circuit; and a smoothing circuithaving an inductance and a capacitor for smoothing said output pulsesignal and a diode provided between said output of said output circuitand a ground potential of said circuit in order to prevent reversecurrent, wherein said output circuit and said smoothing circuit areprovided in the outside of said semiconductor integrated circuit device.11. An electronic device according to claim 10, said output circuitcomprising a switch MOSFET in which said drive signal is supplied to agate and said input power supply voltage is supplied to a source.
 12. Anelectronic device according to claim 11, further comprising: aresistance for detecting current of said output circuit and a protectivecircuit for limiting an operation of said output circuit when a voltagegenerated in said resistance exceeds a predefined tolerance value. 13.An electronic device according to claim 10, wherein: said internalcircuit has a first operation mode consuming a first operational currentand a second operation mode consuming a second operation current smallerthan said first operational current; and said switching regulator isarranged to have a current supply ability corresponding to said firstoperational current of said internal circuit, said electronic devicefurther comprising a step-down type regulator built-in saidsemiconductor integrated circuit device and having a current supplyability corresponding to said second operational current and a powersupply control unit operating said switching regulator in response to afirst control signal instructing said first operation mode in saidinternal circuit and operating said step-down type regulator in responseto a second control signal instructing said second operation mode. 14.An electronic device according to claim 12, wherein said step-down typeregulator is a series regulator.
 15. An electronic device according toclaim 12 wherein said step-down type regulator is a switching regulatorusing a pulse output circuit for outputting pulses generated in a smalloutput transistor corresponding in size to said second operationalcurrent generated in said semiconductor integrated circuit device and aswitching regulator using said inductance and condenser.
 16. Anelectronic device according to claim 10 wherein said internal circuitcomprising a data processing circuit having a microcomputer function forperforming signal processing through a built-in program; and said firstoperation mode and second operation mode are switched and said first andsecond control signals are generated in accordance with said program.17. An electronic device according to claim 16, wherein said input powersupply voltage is generated by a battery.
 18. A semiconductor integratedcircuit, comprising: a power supply terminal having a first operationmode and a second operation mode, to which electric power with apredetermined voltage is supplied; a first power supply unit, connectedto said power supply terminal for operating in said first operation modeand supplying source power which is a first voltage; and a second powersupply unit, connected to said power supply terminal for operating insaid second operation mode and supplying source power which is a secondvoltage, wherein said first operation mode and second operation mode canbe switched in accordance with an operation mode signal.
 19. Asemiconductor integrated circuit according to claim 18 furthercomprising a control circuit connected to said operation mode signal,wherein said control circuit operates said first power supply unit whenan instruction is given for said first operation mode and operates saidsecond power supply unit when an instruction is given for said secondoperation mode.
 20. A semiconductor integrated circuit according toclaim 19, comprising: a first circuit connected to said first powersupply unit; and a second circuit connected to said first power supplyunit and second power supply unit.
 21. A semiconductor integratedcircuit according to claim 20 wherein said first operation mode is anoperating state while said second operation mode is a state keepingstate; said second circuit performs a predetermined operation in saidfirst operation mode; and an internal state is maintained in said secondoperation mode.
 22. A semiconductor integrated circuit according toclaim 21, said semiconductor integrated circuit further comprising athird operation mode, wherein: said control circuit operates said secondpower supply unit when an instruction is given for said third operationmode; said second circuit has a third circuit and a fourth circuit, saidthird circuit being connected to said first power supply unit when aninstruction is given for said second operation mode; source supply isstopped when an instruction is given for said third operation mode; andsaid fourth circuit is connected to said first power supply portion whenan instruction is given for said second operation mode and connected tosaid second power supply portion when an instruction is given for saidthird operation mode.
 23. A semiconductor integrated circuit accordingto claim 22 wherein, when said third circuit is instructed said thirdoperation mode, power source is supplied to said third circuit from saidfirst power supply unit for a predetermined period of time and then saidsource supply is stopped; when said third circuit is instructed saidthird operation mode, said third circuit passes predeterminedinformation to said fourth circuit before said source supply is stopped.24. A semiconductor integrated circuit according to claim 19, furthercomprising: a fifth circuit connected to said first power supply unit;and a sixth circuit connected to said second power supply unit.
 25. Andata processing system, comprising: a power supply terminal having afirst operation mode and a second operation mode; a first power supplyunit for supplying source power, which is a first voltage and a secondpower supply unit for supplying source power, which is a second voltage,both of which being connected to said power supply terminal; anoperation mode signal for instructing said first operation mode andsecond operation mode; data processing unit; a semiconductor integratedcircuit having a supplied power selector unit for supplying source powerfrom said first power supply unit to said data processing unit duringsaid first operation mode in accordance with said operation mode signaland supplying source power from said second power supply unit duringsaid second operation mode; and a power supply unit connected to saidpower supply terminal and a first circuit connected to said power supplyunit.